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A list of every dream I ever had
Wishes long enough to loop the world.
Nov 23, 2025
•
Emma Vivian
50
43
8
Learning to do less (even on Substack)
On burning out, sticking to your values and striving to do your best work.
Nov 9, 2025
•
Emma Vivian
88
62
6
START HERE: I’m not really an optimist
Why I'm attempting a fresh start (and my unlikely journey into hope)
May 11, 2025
•
Emma Vivian
59
39
7
The bonds that changed me
What building a community taught me about joy, grief, and letting go
Aug 10, 2025
•
Emma Vivian
51
31
6
Really easy things I'm doing to simplify my life
What I’m doing to unravel the chaos—without overhauling my whole routine
Oct 5, 2025
•
Emma Vivian
44
29
3
Most Popular
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Learning to do less (even on Substack)
Nov 9, 2025
•
Emma Vivian
88
62
6
The bonds that changed me
Aug 10, 2025
•
Emma Vivian
51
31
6
Who I became when the old me was gone
Oct 10, 2025
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Emma Vivian
47
34
5
Are we allowed to be happy right now?
Jul 27, 2025
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Emma Vivian
48
43
2
On giving yourself permission (and other October challenges)
Thoughts on trying, resting up, and those long-promised pupper Halloween costumes.
Nov 2, 2025
•
Emma Vivian
41
16
6
Every thought I had attending a writing group as a chronically anxious person
I joined an online writing community of poets and essayists. Here's every thought that's popped into my anxious newbie brain.
Oct 26, 2025
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Emma Vivian
44
29
4
Letter from a fellow optimist: Katie Blake on the currency of hope
On the coins I keep, the places I loved, and the optimism of return
Oct 19, 2025
•
Emma Vivian
and
Katie Blake, PhD
16
3
7
Who I became when the old me was gone
My reflection on identity after cancer in collaboration with writer and advocate Wajeeha Nadeem. My essay first, then a link to hers.
Oct 10, 2025
•
Emma Vivian
47
34
5
On reclaiming the day (and other September feelings)
A chunky cardigan, a coastal escape, and the reminder that freedom starts with choosing joy.
Sep 28, 2025
•
Emma Vivian
35
26
5
Attempt at
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A list of every dream I ever had
Wishes long enough to loop the world.
Nov 23, 2025
•
Emma Vivian
50
43
8
Learning to do less (even on Substack)
On burning out, sticking to your values and striving to do your best work.
Nov 9, 2025
•
Emma Vivian
88
62
6
Every thought I had attending a writing group as a chronically anxious person
I joined an online writing community of poets and essayists. Here's every thought that's popped into my anxious newbie brain.
Oct 26, 2025
•
Emma Vivian
44
29
4
Who I became when the old me was gone
My reflection on identity after cancer in collaboration with writer and advocate Wajeeha Nadeem. My essay first, then a link to hers.
Oct 10, 2025
•
Emma Vivian
47
34
5
Optimist vs
View all
Really easy things I'm doing to simplify my life
What I’m doing to unravel the chaos—without overhauling my whole routine
Oct 5, 2025
•
Emma Vivian
44
29
3
Optimist vs. 3 AM brain
On intrusive thoughts, wasted time, and the small miracle of trying anyway
Sep 7, 2025
•
Emma Vivian
39
43
3
Optimist vs author platform: the cost of staying invisible
On fear, exposure, and flinging your work into the world anyway.
Jul 6, 2025
•
Emma Vivian
39
29
5
Optimist vs bad news
What happens when life throws a plot twist at your best efforts to hope.
Jun 7, 2025
•
Emma Vivian
36
18
5
Cancer
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START HERE: I’m not really an optimist
Why I'm attempting a fresh start (and my unlikely journey into hope)
May 11, 2025
•
Emma Vivian
59
39
7
I tried to make my chemo port into a Christmas ornament
It was a bad idea (too much blood)
Feb 16, 2025
•
Emma Vivian
12
6
3
Puberty 2.0: Getting My Hormones Back After Breast Cancer
Almost six years on from being diagnosed with breast cancer at 29, I'm finally getting my hormones back.
Oct 23, 2024
•
Emma Vivian
8
3
2
Chemo Made My Hair Fall Out. Being Told It Would Grow Back Didn’t Help Me.
At age 29, I lost most of my hair while in treatment for aggressive breast cancer. Over five years later, and now in remission, I'm reflecting on the…
Oct 15, 2024
•
Emma Vivian
19
11
4
Letter from a fellow optimist: Lola Berry on fanning the spark in your heart
What happens when you stop living your backup plan and start betting on yourself?
Sep 21, 2025
•
Emma Vivian
and
Lola Berry
19
11
3
Attempt at stepping through a portal
On thresholds, deadweights, and choosing a life of colour
Sep 14, 2025
•
Emma Vivian
40
21
7
Optimist vs. 3 AM brain
On intrusive thoughts, wasted time, and the small miracle of trying anyway
Sep 7, 2025
•
Emma Vivian
39
43
3
On running out of time (and other August feelings)
On teacher’s-daughter dread, LA loneliness, and learning to find comfort in crickets.
Aug 31, 2025
•
Emma Vivian
47
39
3
Letter from a fellow optimist: Jessy Easton on digging for gold
"Every shadow moment I’ve lived through has also been an initiation."
Aug 24, 2025
•
Emma Vivian
and
Jessy Easton
31
21
9
My Substack hits (according to me, and maybe some commenters)
Plus: your fuss-free starter pack of favourite posts from Attempts at Optimism.
Aug 17, 2025
•
Emma Vivian
25
2
2
This month in trying: July edition
Saddle butt, doom scrolls, and 1,000 reasons to feel hopeful
Aug 3, 2025
•
Emma Vivian
35
13
2
Are we allowed to be happy right now?
Something I’m wrestling with. Wondering if you are too.
Jul 27, 2025
•
Emma Vivian
48
43
2
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